Female business leaders recognised in New Year Honours

Female business leaders at Rolls-Royce and the Federation of Small Businesses have been recognised in the New Year Honours List 2023.

Anita Frew, chair of the Derby engineering giant, becomes a dame for her services to business and the economy, while Natalie Gasson-McKinley, development manager at the Federation of Small Businesses, receives an MBE for services to businesses in the East Midlands.

Dame Anita, who became Rolls-Royce’s first ever female chair when she was appointed in 2021, also holds the same role at chemicals group Croda International.

She took over the role at Rolls-Royce following the retirement of Sir Ian Davis.

Today, she is one of only 18 women leading boards at Britain’s biggest listed firms.

She said: “I’m sure that if anyone had told me, as a young girl growing up in Scotland with a father and a grandfather who worked at Rolls-Royce, that one day not only would I chair that company but would have the honour to be made a dame, I would not have believed it.”

Reacting to her honour, Natalie said: “To receive an MBE for my services to business in the East Midlands, in King Charles III’s very first New Year Honours List is beyond comprehension.

“I wear my love for businesses and the East Midlands on my sleeve with pride.
“I’m passionate about supporting our growth, ambition and potential, both within and outside the realms of my day job.

“My volunteer contributions to the region’s businesses make me incredibly happy.

“Time given is done without the expectation of receiving anything in return, other than to see businesses flourish, which means the East Midlands flourishes too.

“However, to have my contributions recognised and acknowledged is an incredible feeling.

“I am incredibly grateful to those who worked to make this honour happen, I am humbled by their recognition and support.”

Also among those to receive honours were Sally Cowan, an expert consultant and technical specialist in sports garment research, from Belper, who receives an MBE for her services to sport.

Over a period of 15 years her work has contributed to 133 medal performances in 18 sports over four Olympic games and three Paralympic Games.

Sally originally started out on a fashion career with a four-year course at Derby College.